Research Interest 

• Inquiry methods in college and high school lab and lecture courses
• Authentic research modules in first- and second-year courses
• Mathematics preparedness for freshman chemistry
• Student placement in developmental and bridge-up math courses
• Uses of response systems ("clickers") in large chemistry lecture classrooms
• Professional development of teachers at the K-12 level through NEOCEx

Selected Publications

1. Mathematics and Chemistry: Does a College-Level Mathematics Prerequisite Affect Success in Freshman Chemistry?  Donovan, W.J. & Wheland, E.  School Science and Mathematics, in press.
2. Placement Tools in Developmental and Bridge-Up Mathematics Courses.  Donovan, W.J. & Wheland, E.  Journal of Developmental Education (2008) 32(2), 2-11.
3.  An Electronic Response System and Conceptests in General Chemistry Courses.  Donovan, W.J.  Journal of Computers in Mathematics and Science Teaching (2008) 27(4), 369-389.
4. Lessons Learned in Implementing Reforms in a Traditional Freshman Chemistry Course.  Donovan, W.J.  The Chemical Educator (2007) 12(4), 288-295.
5. Student Use of Web-Based Tutorial Materials and Their Understanding of Chemistry Concepts.  Donovan, W.J. & Nakhleh, M.B.  Journal of Computers in Mathematics and Science Teaching (2007) 26(4), 291-327.
6. Students' Use of Web-Based Tutorial Materials and Their Understanding of Chemistry Concepts.  Donovan, W.J. & Nakhleh, M.B.  Journal of Chemical Education (2001) 78(7), 975-980.
7. Evaluation of Interactive Technologies for Chemistry Web Sites:  Educational Materials for Organic Chemistry.  Nakhleh, M.B, Donovan, W.J., & Parrill, A.L.  Journal of Computers in Mathematics and Science Teaching (2000) 19(4), 355-378.
8. Final Report: Evaluation of Interactive Technologies for Chemistry Web Sites:  Educational Materials for Organic Chemistry.  Nakhleh, M.B, Donovan, W.J., & Parrill, A.L.  Report to the National Science Foundation, 1998.  (NSF Grant No. HRD-9752985)